When we look in the mirror what do we see? How would we describe ourselves not only to ourselves but others? We all have problems with our looks and how we feel about our bodies. Can we pinpoint were it started? Probably not, but most of us can relate to having body images throughout childhood into adulthood. We have watched our parents, friends and media and related by trying to look the same regardless of consequences.
Goal: promote awareness of chidlren, body image and the negative consequences of it
Action plan: inform and educate at all ages levels that appropriate for their age
How to do this: - educate ; hold assemblies which can teach them about body images, themselves, where to go to for help and prvention of it becoming a problem
Body images are created by the society in which we live in. Each society and culture have different expectations that meet their cultural and social needs. We in America are driven by looks and apperance. This appears at a young age in which we are able to identify ourselves with society expectations. When we attempt to do this it can create unforseen problems such as depression, eating disorders and self-esteem issues.
Body image is how we feel that we are percevied and how we peercive others based on how their bodies appear. This can include the words that most do not want to hear such as " fat, overweight, obese, and scrawny". Dependent on the words that are used and how they are used against us can influence our thoughts and beliefs on what we look like. These thoughts will determine whether or not we may have problems with self esteem, eating disorders, and behavior issues. We are now finding that this does not only affect tennegers adn adutls but are now w affected younger children. Children are constantly subjected to images that are not always realistic. These images may be media, parents, friends, and the image that society itself projects. Children are influenced by this resulting in a distorted body image. There are approximately already 30% of girls that are dieting that are between the ages of 10-14 (Body Images and Children, 2010). Girls are not alone in this. Boys are also victims of body image. They are shown images of men with rippling 6 packs and “perfect body’s”. One study suggests that 7-11% of middle school boys have or is using steroids to increase their size, strength and muscles. (MacDonald, 2009). Having children myself, nieces and nephews I feel that it is important to show our children what is correct and what is not. It is important that they recognize there body for what it is and makes changes that are healthy and appropriate for their age group. This video below gives you an idea of how young girls and boys view themselves and how important they feel that looks are.
I feel that the more that a person is consumed about their weight the more likely that they are to develop other problems which can be life long. A recent study states that the rate of eating disorders that require hospitalization among chidlren has more than doubled within the last decade. This figure is for children that are under the age of 12 (Chodick, 2012).
Another video that i came acroos shows just how important that body image has become. It has threatened to consume chidlren so much that eatign disroders are now become something that pediatrician have to be concerned about. This vidoe speaks volumes
There are several areas in which we need to help children realize that body image is not something that they should be concerned about. If they are starting to not want to eat, needing to fit into a particular size, obsessed with weight and with how they look they need to be able to talk to a trusted source. This may be an older sibling, a parent, a family member, or a friend. Being non judgemental, trustworthy and
We as parents need to instill in our child that we all are shaped diffrently and that there is nothing wrong with that. We need to concentrate on healthy eating and keeping our children active.
.
Goal: promote awareness of chidlren, body image and the negative consequences of it
Action plan: inform and educate at all ages levels that appropriate for their age
How to do this: - educate ; hold assemblies which can teach them about body images, themselves, where to go to for help and prvention of it becoming a problem
Body images are created by the society in which we live in. Each society and culture have different expectations that meet their cultural and social needs. We in America are driven by looks and apperance. This appears at a young age in which we are able to identify ourselves with society expectations. When we attempt to do this it can create unforseen problems such as depression, eating disorders and self-esteem issues.
Body image is how we feel that we are percevied and how we peercive others based on how their bodies appear. This can include the words that most do not want to hear such as " fat, overweight, obese, and scrawny". Dependent on the words that are used and how they are used against us can influence our thoughts and beliefs on what we look like. These thoughts will determine whether or not we may have problems with self esteem, eating disorders, and behavior issues. We are now finding that this does not only affect tennegers adn adutls but are now w affected younger children. Children are constantly subjected to images that are not always realistic. These images may be media, parents, friends, and the image that society itself projects. Children are influenced by this resulting in a distorted body image. There are approximately already 30% of girls that are dieting that are between the ages of 10-14 (Body Images and Children, 2010). Girls are not alone in this. Boys are also victims of body image. They are shown images of men with rippling 6 packs and “perfect body’s”. One study suggests that 7-11% of middle school boys have or is using steroids to increase their size, strength and muscles. (MacDonald, 2009). Having children myself, nieces and nephews I feel that it is important to show our children what is correct and what is not. It is important that they recognize there body for what it is and makes changes that are healthy and appropriate for their age group. This video below gives you an idea of how young girls and boys view themselves and how important they feel that looks are.
I feel that the more that a person is consumed about their weight the more likely that they are to develop other problems which can be life long. A recent study states that the rate of eating disorders that require hospitalization among chidlren has more than doubled within the last decade. This figure is for children that are under the age of 12 (Chodick, 2012).
Another video that i came acroos shows just how important that body image has become. It has threatened to consume chidlren so much that eatign disroders are now become something that pediatrician have to be concerned about. This vidoe speaks volumes
There are several areas in which we need to help children realize that body image is not something that they should be concerned about. If they are starting to not want to eat, needing to fit into a particular size, obsessed with weight and with how they look they need to be able to talk to a trusted source. This may be an older sibling, a parent, a family member, or a friend. Being non judgemental, trustworthy and
We as parents need to instill in our child that we all are shaped diffrently and that there is nothing wrong with that. We need to concentrate on healthy eating and keeping our children active.
.
References:
Body Images and Children. (2010). Retrieved May 6, 2012, from WebMD: http://children.webmd.com/building-healthy-body-image-for-children
MacDonald, B. (2009, October 7). Body Image, Part 3: Are boys the forgotten victims of body image messages?Retrieved May 6, 2012, from Family Anatomy: http://www.familyanatomy.com/2009/10/07/body-image-part-3-boys-forgotten-victims-of-body-image-messages/
You tube video: Retrieved from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-naFDzUJTA
Chodick, A (2012) Eating Disrders up among Young Children, Retrieved May 12, 2012, from:
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/eating-disorders-up-young-children/lc7aIZGVkkm8Z-e0c7cjXw.cspx
You tube video Retreived from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxCSuCpd2Aw&feature=fvst